Flynn Myers, Staff Writer
Broadway’s “Moulin Rouge!” has been performing since July 2018 and has grown in popularity since then. Currently starring Christian Douglass as Christian and Ashley Loren as Satine in the tragic love story, some other notable cast members that have performed in headlining roles were comedian Wayne Brady as Harold Zidler and actor/singer Taye Diggs as the Duke of Monroth.
On Aug. 22, I had the pleasure of seeing “Moulin Rouge!” for the second time. The performance was at the well known Al Hirschfeld Theater, which had charming decorations throughout the buildings and a unique theater set up. When walking in, it’s hard not to notice the bright red letters spelling out “Moulin Rouge!” Not only was the name on the stage, but an intricate stage design with a big heart with layers of smaller hearts on the inside and a bar set up to the right. A blue elephant was right above it as well and most iconically, a red windmill to the left of the stage. I was entranced by the set up of the room, and as I found my seat, there were characters slowly sashaying onto the stage in order to grab the audience’s attention.
To start the performance, a group of three dancers suddenly took to the stage. As the spotlight hit performer Christian Douglas as the American poet, Christian, it was signifying his dramatic entrance into the play. Douglas has amazing vocals throughout the whole musical, showing a diversity in his vocal range from high pitched to lower.
As the play progresses (which I will not spoil completely) we are introduced to a number of characters who help push the story forward, more specifically the “sparkling diamond” or her true name, Satine. Satine, played by Ashley Loren, steps into the role of a dancer at the Moulin Rouge. She’s provided an in-depth character analysis in the play that discusses her rise to popularity in the club and her start as a street performer, aspiring to always be something more and most importantly survive.
The chemistry created between Satine and Christian is unmatched, as Christian’s romanticism clashes with Satine’s dream to be seen as herself. I found that their strong stage presence amongst one another was felt throughout the crowd and I remained at the edge of my seat, eager for whatever was to come.
While the story unfolded, I enjoyed the creative dance numbers and knew most of the music which enhanced the musical completely. The audience interacted with the stage and characters as if we were all a part of the show and the music was a big highlight of the performance, with each song fitting cohesively with the story being told about all the characters.
My favorite part about the musical was the background changes and the costumes. The background and props went from the gray streets of Paris to the colorful inside of the Moulin Rouge. Reds, golds and purples lit up the stage which really grabbed my attention. The set was a key component in the musical and I was looking forward to seeing every single background change.
Another major component of the musical were the costumes. The first costume that really grabbed my attention was the sparkling diamond as Satine slowly came down held by a swing in a bedazzled, sparkling dress. From that point on, I was immediately hooked to the costume designs as dramatic upper class dresses, sparkling corsets and suits with skirts filled the stage. There wasn’t any part of the play that was really lacking in my opinion.
Coming from a person who loves musicals, I can confidently say that “Moulin Rouge!” is one of my favorites. The detailed backgrounds, strong vocals, precise dance routines, catchy music and finally, the story created a joyful atmosphere that connected to the audience. I think that many people should go see this play, as it creates a different experience for all who see it.